A goal has been put in place for Ohioans to live life again without COVID-19 restrictions in place.
During a statewide address Thursday evening, Governor Mike DeWine announced that when Ohio gets down to 50 cases per 100,000 people for two weeks, all health orders will be removed.
“Achieving this goal is very doable,” DeWine said. “We can and we will do this, and I know we will.”
DeWine said the reason a goal can be put into place now is because of the effectiveness of the vaccine and sacrificed Ohioans have made over the last year.
The governor noted that work must still be done to continue to combat the fight against COVID-19.
“Our path back is by each of us getting vaccinated when we can, and by each of us wearing masks in public,” DeWine said. “While no one will be forced to take the vaccine, the more of us who are vaccinated, the more complete our victory, and the more confidently we can put this behind us.”
Currently, Ohio is at 179 cases per 100,000.
Ohio has vaccinated more than 1.8 million people across the state.
“The vaccine is the most efficient, effective, and powerful weapon,” DeWine mentioned. “Our vaccination plan has been to prioritize Ohioans most likely to die if they get the virus: older Ohioans, those with severe developmental disabilities, and those with serious, life-threatening medical condition.”
On Dec. 3, 2020, Ohio was at 731 cases per 100,000 over two weeks. On Feb. 3, the state was at 445 per 100,000 and on Wednesday, the state was at 179 cases per 100,000, according to Gov. DeWine.